Given the project manager’s intention to shift from
a micro-management approach to one where the team is allowed
to make their own decisions, the Laissez-faire leadership
style is most suitable. This style is characterized by a
hands-off approach, allowing team members a high degree of
autonomy and self-direction. In a Laissez-faire leadership
model, the team has the freedom to establish their own goals
and make decisions, which aligns with the project manager’s
goal of empowering the team.
Here’s why the Laissez-faire style is more
appropriate than the others:
-
Transformational
leadership, while empowering, tends to involve more
guidance and inspiration from the leader compared to
the hands-off approach of Laissez-faire.
-
The other styles
(Transactional, Servant leader, Charismatic, and
Interactional) each have distinct characteristics
that do not primarily focus on granting the team
high levels of autonomy to make their own decisions
as the Laissez-faire style does.
In conclusion, adopting a Laissez-faire leadership
style (Option C) is the most suitable for the project
manager in this scenario. It will allow the team the
autonomy and freedom to make decisions and manage their own
work, which is a significant shift from the project
manager’s previous micro-management approach.
Note: According to PGPG (Process Groups: A Practice
Guide - PMI, 2023)
- Laissez-faire (e.g., allowing the team to make
their own decisions and establish their own goals, also
referred to as taking a hands-off style);
- Transactional (e.g., focus on goals, feedback,
and accomplishment to determine rewards; management by
exception);
- Servant leader (e.g., demonstrates commitment to
serve and put other people first; focuses on other people’s
growth, learning, development, autonomy, and well-being;
concentrates on relationships, community, and collaboration;
leadership is secondary and emerges after service);
- Transformational (e.g., empowering followers
through idealized attributes and behaviors, inspirational
motivation, encouragement for innovation and creativity, and
individual consideration);
- Charismatic (e.g., able to inspire; is
high-energy, enthusiastic, self-confident; holds strong
convictions); and
- Interactional (e.g., a combination of
transactional, transformational, and charismatic).